Age Discrimination

UN Working Group on Age Discrimination in 2013

United States views on international law [1] in relation to UN Working Group on Age Discrimination: On August 12, 2013, Laurie Phipps, U.S. Adviser for Economic and Social Affairs, addressed a session of the UN’s Open-Ended Working Group on Aging. Her statement is excerpted below and available at (link resource) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/213121.htm

Some Aspects of UN Working Group on Age Discrimination

Over the past three Open-Ended Working Group sessions, participants have shared best practices and discussed possible actions that the UN, member states, and non-governmental organizations can take to protect the rights of older persons. Yet more needs to be done. We would like to propose some concrete action for the future work of the Working Group, consistent with its role in mainstreaming ageing issues throughout the UN’s policies and programs. At the spring 2013 Commission on Social Development session, the ten-year review of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing was completed and a report was presented to the Commission. The Madrid Plan encapsulates a balanced and pragmatic approach to the various difficulties facing older persons, and provides a comprehensive agenda for dealing with ageing issues. It addresses how to include older persons in the benefits of development; advance health and well-being throughout the life cycle; and build enabling and supportive environments for older persons. And it suggests how governments, NGOs, and other actors can reorient how their societies perceive, interact with, and care for their older citizens. For these reasons, we urge the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing to continue facilitating implementation of the Madrid Plan. The U.S. delegation looks forward to hearing this afternoon’s interactive panel discussion on the Madrid Plan.

Developments

Older persons often face concerns that need to be addressed immediately, including food, health care, economic security, protection from violence and neglect, and services to allow for independent living. Because of the time-sensitive nature of these needs, the UN system should direct its efforts to suggesting practical measures, consistent with the Madrid Plan of Action, which member states, the UN, and civil society can take to improve the situation of older persons. Reference to these actions should be included in relevant resolutions, including General Assembly and Second and Third Committee resolutions. Next, reports and side events can focus on topics of particular importance, with a view to raising awareness and arriving at courses of actions. Lastly, language on older persons can be included in the Strategic Plans of the UN Funds and Programmes and other relevant UN organizations, including ILO and UN Women. Doing so would inform the Funds and Programmes in their efforts to develop policies and programs and allow for monitoring and evaluation of progress made. The Open-Ended Working Group should encourage and facilitate these efforts of the UN system, which a range of actors would undertake.

Details

Mr. Chair, elder abuse is a topic of particular importance to the United States. At this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we and our UN partners, the Canadian government, and non-governmental organizations hosted panel discussions on concrete measures to combat elder abuse. At the 2012 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the White House brought national attention to the issue by holding an event that brought together a broad range of actors within the U.S. government. Last April the National Academy of Sciences Institute on Medicine held a two-day public workshop on global elder abuse and its prevention. The workshop explored the negative impacts of elder abuse on individuals, families, communities, and societies. In the United States, the Elder Justice Act of 2009, as part of the Affordable Care Act, established the Elder Justice Coordinating Council to coordinate across the U.S. government activities related to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Council is a permanent body, with the goal of better coordinating the Federal response to elder abuse. And the United States has long been engaged in efforts to protect older individuals from elder abuse, such as financial exploitation; physical, psychological, and sexual abuse; and neglect. Through the Older Americans Act, the United States aims to provide services to older persons and protect those who may not be able to protect themselves.

Ms. Phipps also delivered a closing statement to the working group on August 15, 2013, excerpted below and available at (link resource) usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/213180.htm

We have had three days of interesting and thoughtful discussion on the existing international framework on the human rights of older persons. It is incontrovertible that, as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares in the first Article, “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” This is true throughout life—every older person holds the same human rights as everyone else. Nevertheless, the sad fact remains that not all older persons are treated with dignity and respect for their rights; their needs and interests are too often ignored by their societies, their communities, their families and sometimes, their governments. The question remains: what can the international community, and more specifically the member states of the United Nations, do to help improve the situations of older persons?

UN Working Group on Age Discrimination in 2013 (Continuation)

United States views on international law [1] in relation to UN Working Group on Age Discrimination: Some have said, during the last few days, that current international human rights law is insufficient for providing protection for older persons. They argue that only a specific instrument that focuses on older persons and their distinctive needs will serve to protect their rights. However, most speakers over the past days have acknowledged that universal human rights apply to older persons, but note that they are not systematically or adequately adhered to. The problem, then, is one of implementation. Ways to promote and protect the rights of older persons, and create accountability for violations and abuses of those rights, have been discussed and should be the topic for further exploration. It is clear that older persons in many countries face neglect, challenges, and even abuse. What is not yet clear, however, is the best way to address the difficulties and inequalities older persons face. Whether a new convention on the rights of older persons would be the most effective way to close the implementation gap is still in question. We will continue to examine the analyses of the Open-Ended Working Group, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the reports of the Secretary-General to the Commission on Social Development and the Third Committee, and input from civil society.

More about UN Working Group on Age Discrimination

In the meantime, governments need to implement their existing human rights obligations. They also need to take into consideration the Madrid International Plan of Action and other guidelines and implement policies to the benefit of their older persons. Turning briefly to the OAS draft Convention that has been mentioned repeatedly in this forum, we would like to point out that the United States appended a footnote to the OAS resolution concerning the negotiation of the draft Convention, noting that the U.S. does not endorse the text of the draft Inter-American Convention. Mr. Chairman, The contributions older persons can and do make to their communities are a benefit to us all. This should be recognized by their families and communities, but sometimes is not. The process of ageing is often difficult and lonely. The rights of older persons need to be protected and promoted. Much more can be done, and should be done now. While we deliberate over the best way forward, the lack of a Convention should not be an excuse for the lack of protection for the rights and interests of older persons.

Resources

Notes

Un Working Group on Age Discrimination in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law

Resources

Notes

Un Working Group on Age Discrimination in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law

Hierarchical Display of Age discrimination

Law > Rights and freedoms > Anti-discriminatory measure
Social Questions > Demography and population > Composition of the population > Distribution by age > Elderly person
Social Questions > Demography and population > Composition of the population > Distribution by age > Young person
Employment And Working Conditions > Labour market > Labour force > Young worker